Tilting mechanism for harvesters



Sept. 29, l931.

W. H. WORTHINGTON TILTING MECHANISM FOR HARVESTERS Fi1ed April 11, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l /1 TTORNEK Sept. 29, 1931. w. H. WORTHINGTON TILTING MECHANISM FOR HARVESTERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 11, 195o A TTORNEY Sept. 29, 1931. w. H. WORTHINGTON TILTING MECHANISM FOR HARVESTERS v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 11, 1930 Patented Sept. 29, 1931 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE WAYNE H. WORTHINGTON, OF BATTLE CREEK, MIoHiGAmfAssIGNoR To GLEANER coiviiiiNEnARvEsTER CORPORATION, or INDEPENDENCE MissOURLA CORPORA- TION OF DELAWARE ',TILTING iiriicir'ANIsiirv FOR HARVESTERS Application inea Aprii 11, 1930. serial No. 443,493. f

My inventionrelates to harvesting inachines, and morel particularly to a tilting mechanism for vcontrolling theY cutting unit of a harvester, theV principal Vobject of the invention being to'fprovide a tilting mecha-k nism which may b e operated either from the operators platform on the `combine or from the draft implement which Y draws I the machine. Y v

yIn accomplishing this and other objects ofthe invention, 'I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated vin the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of portionv ofva combine harvester equipped with a t1lting mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of thetiltinginechanism particularly illustrating the' sides of the platform as illustrated in the latch and latch releasinglevers. Y

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the'line 3 3,

Fig.2. i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the outer end of the tilting lever illustrating the connection of the latch rodv I frame and terminating adiacent the end of` with the hand grip'trigger.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through'the tilting leverY illustrating the construction of the pawl for the ratchet wheel.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional'fview through the tilting lever on the line 6-6,l Fig. 3, particularly illustrating the latch rod Y f ing afsimilarly hooked end 15 onfits lower guide.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through anlatcli` rod adjusting clamp.'

Fig. 8 is a detail perspectiveview` of the latch releasing lever. i

Fig. 9 is a sectional view similarto Fig. 3 illustrating ,the tilting lever inposition to be-operated by the operator of the draft implement. 1

' Fig.' 10 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through the ratchet Wheel and its sup-V porting shaft, part of the shaft being broken away to better illustrate the relation of the latch levers and -the latch releasing mech-V anism.

engaging Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1' designates the' main framel of a conibine harvester, and'2 'aportion of the cutting unit of the machine which is pivotally supported from the main frame, whereby the cutting unit may be adjusted tothe height of grain being cut. Y Supported on the front end of the main kframe ofthe machine' and adjacent the in- Iier end of ythe cutting unit is a platform 3 from which an* operator may control the various operating levers of the machine, including the mechanism for tilting the cut- *ting unit.` The platform 3 is spacedfrom and supported from the mainframe 1 by vertical angle irons 4 which are bolted to the main frame as at 5v and tothe frame of the platform. Certain of the angle irons extend above the platform to form the corner supports of railing 6 extending about Fig. 1. Y

Fixed to an aligning pair of ythe* angle irons 4 below the platform are bearings? `and 8 for rotatably supporting a horizontal shaft 9 extending crosswise.. of the main the cutting -unit in a laterally bent lever arm 10, whereby the shaft 9 isconnected to an eai` 11 carriedby the sub-frame supporting thecuttingunit. The end of the arm 10 vis preferablyfiattened and provided with an opening 12 for Vreceiving the upper hookshaped end 13 of aconnectinglink 14 havend received in an opening 16 formed in the ear 11 s o that when the shaft is rotated as later described, the arms 13 through' the .connecting 'link 14 tilts theV cutting unit'on its pivotal support to regulate elevation of the cutting `unit with relation to the 'height of'giain 'beingcut f Received on the shaft 9 between the bearing .B and the lever arm 10 is a ratchet wheel .for receiving ythe arm 10 of the actuating lli ' levers 28'and 29.

of the arm is a laterally ben-t end of a rod.

cured to the shaft 9 through the lever arm 10 and that when the wheel 17 isiotated` the lever armV will be moved arc to change the elevation of the cutting unit.

The rim 19 of the ratchet wheelis provided with a plurality of spaced notches 27" for receiving latching leversy28 and 29 for locking the ratchet wheel inadju'sted posi! tion. The. latch levers-28 and 29 preferably comprise bell` cranks pivotally mounted on a bolt 3l extending through hubs 32 formed o nr thebell cranks and through an ear 33 extending from the bearing member 8 asl shown inFig. 10. The arms34 of the bell cranks extend substantially horizontally to engage the notches27, and the arms 35 ex-V tend substantially vertically and are y provided at their upper ends with openings 36 for receiving the hook ends 37 of coil springs 38 having their opposite ends connected with the framework of the platform, "-.vherebythe springs are-tensioned to retain' the arms 34 of the bell cranks in engagement with the ratchet wheel.

I prefer to employ two independently. movableY latch. levers so that one of thenotches of the ratchet wheel will always be in position to be engaged by one or theV other of the latch levers to eect closer adjustment of the cutting unit. .c In order to release the latch levers, I provide a r-eleasing lever 39 illustrated in detailV in F 8. The lever 39 is also of bell crank.

shape and is pivotally mounted on an ear 40v on the` bearing member 8, and braced from the ear 33 byan integral-web 4l. A

The lever ispreferably pivoted onv the ear by a bolt 42 extending through a hub 43 of the lever and through an opening in the ear as illustrated in Fig. 10t The arm 44 of the levervextendsforwardly of the machine to rest on theupper edges of the latch Connected with the end 46 extending' upwardly through anopening 47 in the floor of the platform, and which carries on its upper end a foot pedal v48 so that when it is desiredv to release the latching ,levers fromv engagement with the ratchet wheel, the operator may press Yhis foot on the pedal to movethe rod 46 downwardly, causing the arm 44 of the bell crank to cam the release levers downwardly-*outV ofengagement with the ratchet wheel.

In order to rotate the ratchet wheel Iprovide a tilting or ratchet lever 49 preferably comprising a lower bar 50 having an openingjr5lvat its lower end to receive a reduced extension 52 on the hub of the ratchet wheel as shown in Fig. l0.. Adjustably fixed to the upper end of the bar 50 is an extension bar 53 secured by bolts 54 and 55 extending throughk openings 56 and 57 in the respective bars asshown in Fig. 5. `The bolts 54 are p preferably provided with a squared shoulderedvportion 58 to be received in the openings-56 which are formed co'mplementary'V to' theslioulder on the bolts so that. Wl'ienf the nuts 59 are tightened-on' the 'bolts the squared shouldered portion will prevent the bolts from-turning'in the bars and the nuts 59 may be readily tightened to clamp the bars together.

The extension bar 53'is provided on its upper end with an L-shaped handlevGO having Ia tubular l'portion 61 provided witha downwardly extending tongue 62 which is. secured to the free end of the bar by rivets 63.- .Extending laterally from the' tubular portion 6l is a grip portion' 64 and aligning therewithis an ear 65 for pivoting a grip trigger 66 which extends through; a slot 67 in thehandle portion to cooperate with the grip` 64 for actuating a pawl release rod v68 now described. The release rod 68 comprises overlapping sections 69 and 70 secured together by clamps 71` comprising loops 72 sleeved over the overlapping portions of the'rods and anchored thereto by set screws 73 threadedin tubularrbosses 74 on the clamps and engaging the' rods as shownin Fig. 7. n l Y y LThe `upper end of the rod 69 vis preferably provided with a hook 75 for engaging in an opening-formed in an ear 76v on 'the trigger lever 66. The rod 69 extends through a slot 77 formed in the side ofthe tubular portion 6l of the handle and downnected with a vertical arm 482 ofthe releasel lever 39,l through a substantially U-shaped connecting link83. f .f Y I The link V83 is connected to the arm of the release lever by a pin 84 extending through an opening 85' in the release lever and l'through'a similar opening formed'inan arm 86 of the connectinglink. The other arm 87 of the connecting link isV provided with an opening 88 for receiving a hook 89 formed -on'the end of the release rod as the trigger grip 67 to shift the tilting lever,;

IPO

the 'rod 68 through the connecting llink rocks.`

thebell crank Vrelease lever to lcause the `arm 43 to cam the latch arms y28and29 downwardly out of engagement with the teeth of f the ratchet Wheel as when the arm is rocked by the foot pedal 48 on the platform 3.

In order to operably connect the tilting forpengaging in the notches and ashank 93received in the bracket 91.4y -Thepawlis y yieldingly retained in engagement with the ratchet wheel by a spring 94 sleeved over the shank and having one end bearing against thehead 92and theother against a Vshoulder 95 formed inthe upperend of` 4 s down 1n thesame manner as it was operated the bracket.

Pivoted to the upper endV of the tiltingl lever, at a point below the handle grip pre" viously described, is ah'andle 96 for releasing the pawl which'is connected therewith by a release rod 97 extending longitudinally of the lever substantiallyparallel with the rod 68..y

The rod 97 also comprises sections similar to the rod 68 and the ends ofthe sections are connected to the shank of the-pawl and to the releasing-handle 96 by 98 and 99 respectively. y Y

f Thus itis apparent that when the pawl is engaged with the ratchet wheel and latchhooks .ing levers are released, arcuate movement ofthe lever will rotate the ratchetwheel to latch arms out of 'engagement with the I ratchet wheel. He will then rock the tilting lever forwardly to rotate the ratchet wheel l and lift the cutting unit through the connecting link 14 and arm l0. He will then releasey pressure on the foot .pedal 48 tol :allow the latch levers to engage' oneof the notches to lock the ratchet wheel.jy He will then grasp the releasing handle to move thefpawl 90 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel against tension kof the spring 94. He can then returnjthe lever to its former position free of the ratchet wheel to obtain another hold thereon when he again releases the handle v87 thereby allowf ingthe `pawl 90 to `again engage the wheel. He can then rock the tilting lever lforwardly of the machine to continue raising'A the cutting unit -until it has assumed theproper elevation for the height of grain being cut. Thus the operator can Lcontinue ratcheting A the lever back andfforthto regulate the.

` implement.

the latching levers 28 Gr.29 by grasping the heightvofthecutting unit to varying height ofthegrain. l n

e When` the `tiltinglever is to bef-operated.

from the draft implement the operator will grasp the releasing handle, to release the pawl 90 Afrom engagement with ytheratehet Wheel sothat he can move the tilting leverfi'n substantially horizontal -position forwardly of the machine, as shown in Fig. 9, and the sections of the lever including'the release rods will be yextended tobring the handle.

gripv in `reach of the operatoronthe draft The operator can then release grip trigger 66 therebyshifting the rod 68, and the L-shaped. lever 83 toactuate thev bell crank .39 to cam the release levers downwardly out ofengagement with the ratchet wheel. He can then ratchet the. tilting lever up and when in a vertical position.

What Iclaim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is: .f

, l. A device of the character described including a ratchet wheel, anactuator forthe ratchet wheel, means for latching the ratchet wheel, and meansA operable from the actuator for releasing theratchet wheel.

2. A devicefof ythe character described 'in-V cluding a ratchet wheel, a lever for actuating.k the ratchetwheel, alatching lever for the ratchet wheel, and means operable from the actuating lever for shifting the lat-ching lever. Y f

3. A device of the character described in cluding a ratchet Wheel, a lever for actuat ing. the ratchet Wheel, a latching-:lever for .the ratchet wheel, foot actuated meansfor shifting the latching` lever, and a second means operable fromtheactuating lever for shifting the vlatching lever.- i

4. A device of the character described in;`

cluding; a ratchet wheel, a lever for operating vthe lratchet wheel, a pivotedlever for latching theratchet wheel, a shifting lever engaging thev latching lever, .a foot pedal for actuating the shifting lever, andmeans operable from the actuating lever for vshiftingthe latching lever.

5. A device of the character described in-v cluding a ratchet wheel, a lifting crank operably connected withrthe ratchet wheel, a

lever foractuating the ratchet wheel, a lever' forlatching the ratchet Wheel, and means operable from the actuating leverfor shifting the latching lever.

6. Adevice of the character described inactuating the ratchet wheel, a lever for latching-the ratchet wheel, foot actuated meansA for shifting the latching -'lever,and afsec- 5 ond means operable from the actuating leverfor shiftingjthe latching lever.

7. -A device of the'character described in,

lili) clnd'ing a ratchet wheel, a lever for actuating the ratchet Wheel, a lever forlatching means operable from the actuating lever for shifting thellatching lever.

9. A device of the character described including a shaft having a lifting crank, a

ratchet wheel on the shaft operably connected with theV lifting crank, a tilting lever pivoted concentric of the shaft'and having movement independent of the ratchet wheel, a pawl on the actuating lever' for engaging the ratchet wheel to cause rotation of the ratchet wheel upon movement of the Vactuating lever, means on the actuating Vlever for drawing the pawl, and means operable from the actuating lever for latching the ratchet Wheel when the paivl is drawn.

10. A device ofthe character described including aratchet wheel, a lever for actuating the ratchet Wheel, a pair of latching levers for the ratchet wheel, a latch drawing lever engaging the latching levers, a rod slidably mounted on the actuating lever, a linkconnecting the rod with the latch drawing levei, and a handle member pivoted on the actuating lever for actuating the rod.

11. A device of the character described including a ratchet wheel, a lever for actuating tlie ratchet wheel, spring-pressed latching levers for the ratchet Wheel, foot actuated means for shifting the latching levers against tension of their springs, and a vrsecond means operable from the actuating lever for shifting the latching levers.

12. A device of the character described including a shaft having a lifting crank,.a

ratchet wheel on the shaft operably con-A nected therewith, an actuating lever .pivoted concentric of `the shaft and having movement-'independent of the ratchet wheel, a

pawl on the actuating lever for engaging the ratchet Wheel to cause rotation of the ratchet y jwheelupon movement of the actuating lever, means on the actuating lever for draw-V ing the pawl, and means operable from the actuating lever for latcliing the ratchetV lifting crank7 an actuating lever pivotally mounted in axial alignment with the shaft,`

a pawl on the actuating lever for engaging the ratchet wheel, means on the actuating lever for drawing the pawl, a lever for latch# ing the ratchet Wheel when the pawl isV drawn, a-shifting lever engaging the latching lever', and means operable from the actuating lever for actuating the latch shifting lever. f

14. A device of the character described including ashaft having a .crank arm, a ratchet wheel on ythe shaft operably connected, with the arm, an actuating lever mounted in pivotal relation with the ratchet wheel, a pawl on the actuating lever for engaging the ratchetwheel, means on the actuating lever` for drawing. the pawl, a pivotally mountedl latchinglever forV engaging the ratchet-wheel, af-s'pring yfornretainiiig the latching lever in latching position, a bell crank lever having 'an arm engaging the latching lever, a rod slidably mounted on the actuating lever, a substantially U-shaped connecting link connecting the other arm of the bell crank leverwiththe rod, and means on the actuating lever for actuating the rod to cause the bell crank lever to move the latching lever against tension of the spring.

15. In a harvester including a main frame and a sub-frame adjustably supported on the mainframe, an operators platform on the main frame, means associated with the op'erators` platform for adjusting'the subframe with relation to the main frame, and means for actuating the adjusting means remotely of the operators platform. Y

16. In a harvester includinga main frame and a sub-frame adjustably mounted on the main frame, and an operators platform-on the main frame, a ratchet wheel on the main frame, means VoperablyV connecting the ratchet Wheel withthe sub-frame, an actuator for the ratchet wheel, means operable from said platform for latcliing the ratchet wheel to retain the sub-frame in adjusted position, aind'means en the1 actuator 'for shifting the latching Alever remotely of the platform. Y y

17. In a harvester includinga main frame and a sub-framcipivotally mounted on the mainframe, a shaft rotatablyl mounted on thel main frame, a crank arm on the shaft, means connecting the crank arm with the sub-frame, a. ratchet wheel fixed on the shaft, an actuating lever rotatably supported by the shaft, apawl on the actuating lever for engaging the ratchet wheel, means on the actuating lever for drawing the pawl, a latching lever .for engaging the ratchet` Wheel Vwhen the pawl is released, and means operable from the actuating lever for shift-r ing the latching lever.

. 18. In a harvesterincluding a main frame and a sub-frame pivotally mounted on the main frame, a shaft rotatably mounted on sub-frame, a ratchet Wheel fixed on the shaft, an actuating lever rotatably supported by the shaft, a paWl on the actuating lever for engaging the ratchet Wheel, means on the actuating lever for drawing the'pavvl, l n

a latching lever for engaging the ratchet Wheel when thepavvl is drawn, means operable from the actuating lever for shifting the latching lever,and a second means for operating the latch releasing lever comprising a foot pedal slidably supported from the main frame.

19. In a harvester including a main frame and a sub-frame pivotally mounted on the main frame, a shaft rotatably mounted on the main frame, a crank arm on the shaft, means connecting the crank arm With the sub-frame, a ratchet Wheel fixed on the shaft, an actuating lever rotatably supported by the shaft, a pawl on the actuating lever for engaging the ratchet Wheel, means on the actuating lever for drawing the pawl, latching levers for engaging the ratchet Wheel When the pavvl is drawn, means koperable from the actuating lever for shifting the latching levers, and a second meansfor operating said shifting means comprising a foot pedal slidably supported by the main frame.

20. In a machine of vthe character de-y scribed including a main frame, and a subframe adjustably mounted on the main frame, a ratchet Wheel rotatably mounted on the main frame, means operably connecting the ratchet Wheel With the sub-frame, an extensible actuating lever associated with the ratchet Wheel for operating the ratchet Wheel remotely of the machine, a paWl on the actuating lever for engaging the ratchet Wheel, means extensible With the actuating lever for drawing the paWl, a latching lever for engaging the ratchet Wheel When the pavvl is drawn, and extensible means oper` able from the actuating lever for shifting the latching lever.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature. n

WAYNE H. WORTI-IINGTON. 

